Chapter 66

Dense demonic mist hung thick and damp, cold and yin-cold, faintly carrying a bloody scent. Even through the fabric of his clothes, Rabbit Tuan couldn’t help but shiver in terror. He shrank into an even smaller ball, resolutely refusing to poke his head out from Dao Qing’s collar.

With his view obstructed, Rabbit Tuan focused most of his attention on his hearing. He vigilantly listened to the surroundings and found the valley eerily quiet, without even the sound of wind—only Dao Qing’s footsteps, along with sporadic insect chirps and bird calls.

Dao Qing patted his collar and said to Rabbit Tuan, “There’s no danger nearby. You can come out.”

Those pats happened to land right on Rabbit Tuan’s butt. Dissatisfied, Rabbit Tuan kicked him once, then slowly poked out his little head. He looked around and saw that the scenery at the valley entrance was no different from outside—still those sparse, disorderly grasses and trees.

Dao Qing continued walking deeper in. Rabbit Tuan lay on his collar, his pink nose twitching slightly as he discerned the scents in the air. He discovered that the terrifying demonic qi had actually grown fainter the further they went; the air became fresher and more humid.

Low grasses and bushes gradually gave way to tall trees whose canopies blocked out the sky, forming dense shade that dimmed the light considerably.

Small animals became more numerous nearby. They caught Dao Qing’s demonic qi and immediately fled with their tails tucked, viewing him as a mysterious and powerful demon—often a sign of danger. It was better to stay far away.

Rabbit Tuan glimpsed fruits hanging from the trees—bright red and plump, looking sour-sweet. He couldn’t help but swallow his saliva.

Although he no longer felt hungry after consuming fasting pills, that didn’t mean his appetite had vanished too. He was pregnant and hadn’t eaten anything for days, so it was perfectly normal for his cravings to be triggered.

He gently scratched at Dao Qing’s chest and asked softly, “Do you think that fruit is edible? I remember it has no poison.”

Dao Qing lowered his gaze to Rabbit Tuan, then looked at the tree full of fragrant, sweet fruits. “It can be eaten. I’ll pick some for you.”

Rabbit Tuan was very satisfied that Dao Qing had understood his hint. Just as he was about to crawl out, Dao Qing pressed him back. “Hide well.”

“??” Perplexed, Rabbit Tuan shrank back. He felt Dao Qing approach the fruit tree, but suddenly a foul, fishy wind assaulted him, lunging at Dao Qing. Soon after came a “crack,” and something thudded to the ground.

Dao Qing said, “Come out and eat the fruit.”

Rabbit Tuan poked out his body and was startled. A grotesquely patterned venomous snake lay dead on the ground, its body crushed to pieces. It had clearly tried to ambush Dao Qing but failed miserably, losing its own life instead.

Dao Qing used a spell to pluck most of the fruits from the tree, storing them in his Sleeve Universe. He left two, conjured water to wash them clean with magic, and handed them to Rabbit Tuan. “Eat.”

Each fruit was about Rabbit Tuan’s size; he couldn’t eat so many. So he hugged one and pushed the other back to Dao Qing. “You eat too.”

He chomped into the fruit with “crunch crunch” sounds. The fruit was fragrant, sweet, and juicy—exceptionally delicious. Seeing how happily Rabbit Tuan ate, Dao Qing didn’t eat the one pushed to him but stored it away, planning to save them all for Rabbit Tuan.

After finishing the fruit, Rabbit Tuan had his three-petaled mouth and little paws wiped clean with a handkerchief by Dao Qing. He also got milked once before being tucked back into Dao Qing’s embrace to continue the journey.

Rabbit Tuan noticed that after they left the tree, a group of small animals rushed up and frantically fought over the remaining fruits, like starving ghosts who hadn’t eaten in lifetimes. They even brawled, quickly devouring every last one.

Rabbit Tuan recalled how no small animals had approached the tree on their way over, as well as the snake Dao Qing had killed. He suddenly realized: that snake had been using the fruit tree as bait to hunt nearby animals. Over time, the animals had learned of the danger and avoided it.

No wonder there was only this one fruit tree nearby… He hadn’t been vigilant enough; he hadn’t thought deeply about it.

Rabbit Tuan touched his bulging belly, embarrassed, and asked Dao Qing, “Did you know there was danger near that fruit tree all along?”

Dao Qing didn’t hide it. “Yes.”

“Then why did you still pick fruit for me?” Rabbit Tuan said softly. “You could have just told me it was dangerous, and I wouldn’t have eaten. It’s not like I’d starve without it. Why risk yourself? I’m not an unreasonable rabbit.”

Dao Qing said, “If you want to eat it, then eat. That’s the simplest request. If I can’t even satisfy that, I’d be too incompetent.”

His tone was flat, as if fulfilling Rabbit Tuan’s wishes was only natural and right—even in such an environment, where picking fruit wasn’t easy.

Rabbit Tuan’s heart stirred. His black round eyes spun slyly. “What do you think picking stars or the moon would be like?”

“An unreasonable demand,” Dao Qing said.

“What if it’s me who wants it?” Rabbit Tuan asked. “I want the stars and moon. Would you satisfy me?”

Dao Qing said expressionlessly, “If you want it, it’s still unreasonable.”

Rabbit Tuan: “Oh…”

“But I will do everything in my power to satisfy you,” Dao Qing said. “After we return, I will find a way.”

Rabbit Tuan: “No need, I was just saying.”

He contentedly shrank back into the collar, thinking that while Dao Qing was annoying, he wasn’t beyond saving. At least, he doted on him quite a bit.

Dao Qing continued, “I can satisfy you with anything. You don’t need anyone else. After we return, you must divorce Helan Ji and cut ties with your lovers.”

“Pah! In your dreams!”

Rabbit Tuan flew into a rage and bit Dao Qing’s chest muscle through the undergarment. That stinky mud eel was still so detestable!

The bite didn’t hurt Dao Qing at all. He ignored it, letting Rabbit Tuan do as he pleased. Rabbit Tuan bit a few more times, but seeing no reaction, annoyance sparked a mischievous idea. He stuck out his pink little tongue and licked Dao Qing once.

The effect was immediate. Dao Qing halted abruptly, lowered his light-colored eyes, parted the collar, and met Rabbit Tuan’s gaze.

Rabbit Tuan flopped open his belly, waved his paws coquettishly with feigned innocence—utterly infuriating. “Brother Dao Qing, what’s wrong? Why’d you stop walking?”

“…Nothing.”

Dao Qing closed the collar and continued onward. Seeing no danger nearby, Rabbit Tuan occasionally harassed him—licking his chest one moment, nibbling his collarbone the next, even trying to crawl further inside the undergarment.

Finally losing patience, Dao Qing fished him out. “What exactly are you trying to do?”

Rabbit Tuan huffed. “You get to suck my belly, but I can’t nibble you? Is that fair?”

Dao Qing warned coldly, “If you keep fooling around, I’ll put you on the ground and make you walk yourself.”

“Go ahead,” Rabbit Tuan said fearlessly. “It’s so dangerous here. Without protection, I’ll just die. No big deal—get skinned by demons, eaten to bits, leaving only four rabbit paws…”

Dao Qing: “Don’t provoke me.”

Rabbit Tuan: “Provoke you how? What can you do to me?”

Dao Qing truly couldn’t do anything to Rabbit Tuan, so he spat blood. He erased the blood with magic right away—bleeding in such a place was extremely dangerous, easily attracting unforeseen trouble.

Rabbit Tuan jumped in fright and immediately stopped provoking him. He hadn’t expected to anger Dao Qing to the point of vomiting blood. Feeling guilty and uneasy, he apologized. “Sorry…”

“It’s nothing,” Dao Qing said. “Just don’t provoke me anymore.”

“I won’t make you angry…” Rabbit Tuan mumbled.

Dao Qing: “I’m not angry.”

“I don’t believe it,” Rabbit Tuan whispered. “If you’re not angry, why spit blood?”

“I have internal injuries. Any surge of qi and blood can make me vomit,” Dao Qing said slowly. “You and I share a heavenly destined marriage; you’re my fated Dao companion. With all your teasing, how could I feel nothing? That’s why I told you not to provoke me—it makes my qi and blood surge.”

Rabbit Tuan: “…”

He never imagined that was why Dao Qing spat blood. The dead mud eel seemed proper but wasn’t honest at all. And he’d felt guilty over it.

Though a bit unconvinced, Rabbit Tuan truly didn’t dare tease Dao Qing anymore. He obediently curled up in his embrace.

Along the way, Dao Qing killed a few demons that ambushed him. In the evening, he occupied one demon’s cave to spend the night.

This demon had intelligence; it had cleaned the cave spotlessly and even gathered a table, chairs, and soft couch, arranging the couch fluffy and soft. Dao Qing added a fleece blanket and clean sheets, making it even more comfortable.

He used magic to move stones and seal the entrance tightly, set up a barrier, and confirmed all was secure before sitting down to meditate and rest.

Rabbit Tuan sat on the table, munching two more fruits to satisfy his cravings. He glanced at Dao Qing meditating, hesitated, then spoke. “I have a method that might heal your injuries.”

Dao Qing opened his eyes and looked at Rabbit Tuan. Rabbit Tuan jumped down, transformed into human form, and walked to Dao Qing’s side. “Don’t move.”

He caressed Dao Qing’s cheek. Dao Qing didn’t move, just gazed at him quietly.

Under that gaze, Qixue felt a bit shy and annoyed. He snapped softly, “Close your eyes.”

Dao Qing silently and obediently closed his eyes. Until he felt soft lips press against his own, he abruptly opened them. His usually cold eyes showed a trace of shock.

Qixue lightly nipped his thin lips, his voice soft and sweet. “Say this first: I’m not doing this because I like you. It’s just to circulate the technique and heal you. Don’t get ahead of yourself…”

He pried open Dao Qing’s teeth, kissing deeper, and circulated the dual cultivation technique, passing pure demonic qi over.

Their demon powers intertwined, bringing extreme pleasure. Qixue suddenly trembled and fell onto Dao Qing’s lap. His beautiful face flushed, and he let out a faint moan. “Mm…”

He had only meant to pass some demon power, but somehow it felt so good. Qixue lost himself in the kiss with Dao Qing, who suddenly gripped his waist and pulled him closer forcefully.

But the next instant, Dao Qing pushed Qixue away. Qixue nearly fell and stared blankly.

Subconsciously annoyed, he then realized Dao Qing might have been stirred up again. The annoyance faded, and he quickly explained. “Don’t get worked up. I’m not teasing you—I’m circulating the dual cultivation technique to heal you…”

“You know dual cultivation techniques?” Dao Qing interrupted. “Who taught you?”

Qixue didn’t want to rat out Xuan Yang. “Never mind that. Since you know it, that’s good. Does the dual cultivation technique work for healing you?”

“…” Dao Qing said, “Very effective.”

Qixue was delighted. “Great, then let’s continue…”

Dao Qing asked, “Didn’t you notice my current state?”

The cave was dimly lit, but at his question, Qixue noticed the changes. Dao Qing was struggling to control his demonic nature.

His light vertical pupils had darkened deeply; dragon scales appeared on his face and neck. His breathing was heavy, sweat beaded on his forehead, and he exuded a strange aura.

This peculiar scent even affected Qixue. Upon smelling it, his legs went weak, and his body heated up. “What is this…”

Dao Qing lowered his eyes; sweat dripped from his brow bone. “This is the scent of dragon clan in heat.”

In a low, hoarse voice, he said, “You’re my fated Dao companion. Even simple touch arouses me. Now you’re using dual cultivation to get close… What do you think will happen to me? To you?”

“Tonight, I’ll sleep outside. Stay here and be extra careful.”

Worried, Qixue subconsciously asked, “Do you have to go out?”

“Or what?”

Dao Qing’s golden pupils fixed on him, like staring at prey. “Do you want me to fuck you to death?”